New County Healthcare Partnership Serves West Oakland Residents

Alameda County Health Care Services Agency has a announced a new partnership between Healthy Communities Inc. (HCI) and the West Oakland Health Council (WOHC) through which, it hopes to see expanded access to primary care for the residents of West Oakland

Since 2004, the HCI Save A Life Wellness Center has served West Oakland’s highest risk and most disadvantaged citizens. Through this new partnership, Save A Life patients have begun receiving primary care services at WOHC effective July 1.

< p>Healthy Communities will continue to provide employment assistance, drug and alcohol, and mental health counseling services on the San Pablo corridor where its presence has created a haven of health.

“Transitioning primary care services to the capable physicians and staff at WOHC is bitter sweet since our patients have become like family,” said Pastor Raymond Lankford, Healthy Communities President and co-founder.

“However, through this partnership, HCI will be better able to focus on fortifying our violence prevention work through expanded case management and health education services, alcohol and other drug addiction supports, job placement assistance, and mental health consultation on the San Pablo corridor through our mobile health van, and at our new location, at 1485 8th Street in the lower bottoms in West Oakland,” he added.

“We are honored to partner with HCI and welcome their patients as ours. Through our collaboration, patients will access a broader array of services and conveniences such as on-site laboratory, radiology, and a pharmacy,” said Dr. Robert Cooper, WOHC medical director.